Double Time

So things seem to be moving especially fast right now. The start of the year is always a little like this I guess. Except that it's half way through February already. And uni goes back worrying soon, especially since I haven't actually managed to enrol in any courses yet.

Still on a burst of Auckland appreciation though despite the pace. Summer Series #2 is this weekend, which I'm really looking forward to, but we have the mayhem of Simon Pound's birthday party first.

Saw a great film this week, The Weeping Camel. There should be a review on www.xtra.co.nz next week. Also, for other Aucklanders, had great pizza last night at Melt. Seafood, which Hannah loved and Emma thought was sick. I loved it too. Too much emotion about pizza maybe? It's a serious business. Didn't do anything more exciting that League of Gentlemen DVD's last night. Possibly the funniest show ever.

Went to see the Shins play on Thursday night, which was fun. I wasn't blown away by the show though. The set was very even but lacked any really stand out moments. They were endearing and sweet and the songs sounded good. Of course, the Garden State songs got the biggest response. It's amazing what a film can do for a band. Like most bands I've seen recently they seemed genuinely surprised by the audience and response they received, which is good. Too many bands miss coming to New Zealand on tours. We do have a bit of a deluge at the moment though which Lampchop, Blondie and REM coming up soon.

Three weeks until the party to end all. We lost our DJ this week which may create some problems. Or some playlists...

Sad About Brad

In news, working on Sundays is so poor. Don't do it.

Brad has just announced that he is moving to Sydney in a month. Which is good for him, and Hagan who is already living here but bad for the rest of us. Brad isn't someone that I can ever see enough of and I'm very sad in advance at the prospect of him going. He's leaving the day after my birthday party which means last hurrah and then sad goodbye.

It's funny because I already left and came back once, but I still expect that everyone will stay here.

Ipod just died, listening to radio and keep going to change the playlist. He he.

I guess really, there are a surprising number of people still here. I wonder what's keeping a lot of them. First jobs are a big factor, as are student loans. Relationships are probably an underlying reason, although one that it wouldn't be very cool to admit to. I should probably get used to people taking off I suppose. But I'm still sad about Brad.

That's So GC...

Yep, that is the official tag line of the Coast of Kings, the Gold Coast. Amusing for all. Imagine our surprise when on our last night, we visited a restaurant called Mermaids and were greeted with fine dining instead of naked ladies in fish tanks. Gutted.

The trip did provide good time for reflection upon Australia though. We witnessed national pride being whipped into a fury with the tennis final. We were all rooting for Safin, but it was still a little sad to watch Hewitt slink off the court. I like Australia, and (generally) Australians. And after spending time with my cousin and her young family, I can't help but think that they are much better off being over there.

Tooth situation still unresolved. Eating is now a perilous activity, involving constant checking that tooth bit is still there and occasional tongue biting. Am anticipating a bumper session with the hygenist on Friday...yay.

In other news, I've been slaving over a hot research proposal all night. And yet, it still reads badly. I think it will be an ongoing grapple with the film department to get it approved. Fun times.

Have missed Wellington a lot all of this week. Another founding member of the Wellington gang, Lucy, moves up in a fortnight, leaving Alek effectively there on him own. It was only a year ago that we all moved there, and I have to admit that I was the first to turn tail. But we had a great time, and as much as I love Auckland, there are things about Welly that I am missing. Hard to put my finger on what exactly, but it was a really nice time that we all had down there. Will be very good to have Lucy back up here though.

Phew

What a week.

Just got back from three days in the Gold Coast with a bunch of friends. This gets points for the most hastily planned and most fun holiday. We had a great time, stayed across the road from the beach and generally lazed about.

I saw my cousin and met her new baby, Hunter. This was especially cool because Hunter was extremely premature and things were hanging in the balance for a long time. But he pulled through and although he's a tiny little thing, he seems great. Although, as Hannah pointed out, quite continously surprised by everything going on around him.

And to 'cap' things off, my tooth erupted again, meaning that I had to get it fixed AGAIN, which was much less fun than the last time.

But more thoughts on the Gold Coast soon...